SUPPRESSION OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE MYASTHENIA-GRAVIS BY ORAL-ADMINISTRATION OF ACETYLCHOLINE-RECEPTOR

Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG), which to some extent represents an experimental counterpart of human myasthenia gravis, ca n be induced by inoculation of various animal species and strains with acetylcholine receptor (AChR). The oral administration of Torpedo ACH R to Lewis rats prior to immunization with Torpedo AChR and complete F reund's adjuvant resulted in prevention or delay in the onset of EAMG. Levels of anti-Torpedo AChR antibodies in serum measured by radioimmu noassay were lower in orally tolerant compared to control animals. The model might have a relevance for studying the pathogenesis and immuno therapy of human myasthenia gravis.